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On the Grid – Airport Taking Off

Airport Taking Off

Efforts by the City of Flagstaff to increase service at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport are starting to pay off. Direct flights to Los Angeles and Dallas are scheduled to debut later this spring as the number of annual passengers, including business people and vacationers, continues to increase. The city’s Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport Manager Barney Helmick join On the Grid host and FBN Editor Bonnie Stevens to discuss the importance of a thriving airport for the region. On the Grid is a monthly podcast delving into timely topics and interviews with guests who help shape the local economy.

One Response to On the Grid – Airport Taking Off

If you use Google Flights you’ll see something that often happens when there are smaller airports (like Flagstaff) near mega-airports like PHX: flights to destinations may actually be cheaper from Flagstaff than from PHX, even though the extra flight is required. I was looking at a flight to Africa this fall, and the flight was $180 cheaper going from Flagstaff than if I were to drive to PHX and fly out of PHX… interesting, but deals can be found from time to time. Also, from San Francisco to Flagstaff, flights in May (when I last checked a few weeks ago) were almost $100 cheaper from Flagstaff than PHX. Nice issue for us to have. With the current administration trying to end the Essential Air Service subsidies, I have a hunch that Flagstaff will remain open and get stronger while airports like Prescott, Sedona, Page, Show Low, etc. close due to lack of funding from the EAS program…

Traveling almost 8,000 miles to fill his new position as food and beverage director for Xanterra at the Grand Canyon South Rim Lodges was an “easy” decision, says Todd Rodemyer, who left Kabul, Afghanistan, for the Grand Canyon. “It was the best move I’ve made yet. I really like it here.” While in Kabul, Rodemyer worked as a government contractor for the U.S. Embassy, managing the food service for the entire state department operation, which includes six dining facilities and catering from the ground up. “It was an amazing experience and I had a great relationship with the ambassador and state department commanders.” Although he was in a war zone, he says he always felt safe at the compound in Kabul, because it was guarded by Gurkha Guard Force. “They are some of the greatest and most dedicated soldiers I’ve ever been around.” He adds that it was intense at times.

Having lived in Flagstaff for more than 40 years, I know there are some things you can count on as spring comes to the high country: wind, weather that changes in the blink of an eye, the return of the elk and deer along the highways and freezing at Little League games (did I mention the wind?